Today Cmdr. Frank Castellano of the USS Bainbridge joyfully welcomed Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama after he was rescued through his own valor and that of U.S. Navy SEALS.Americans everywhere rejoiced.
America never doubted that Capt. Phillips and the U.S. military had the "right stuff" to return the Captain to his home and family.
There was plenty of doubt, however, that President Obama would make the correct decision to permit the U.S. military to assist Captain Philips without resorting to negotiating with or bribing the sea-going terrorists. Reportedly, it took Obama two full days to approve "appropriate use of force" to rescue Capt. Philips, in my view, two days too many. I suppose the White House and the mainstream media mean us to believe that Obama approved the use of force as an act of individual patriotism and not as a political response to the growing outrage of the American people who recognise that the chief responsibility of the U.S. government and the U.S. military is to protect American citizens.
Has our country's delayed response made U.S. ships safer on the high seas? Not likely.
The Maersk Alabama has been declared a "crime scene," with the crew members being held for interviews until the FBI decides to let them go. One of the pirates is now a captive, leaving open the possibility--even probability--of an international legal circus in which a Somalian pirate receives legal advice, "culturally sensitive" meals, and other amenities in living quarters approved by the International Red Cross and paid for by American taxpayers while President Obama's speechwriters look for some past offence that might merit America's apologies to Somalia.
Americans are proud that the captain and crew of the Maersk Alabama and of the naval vessels that went to their aid acted in a courageous and effective manner; we are waiting for our chief executive and our legislators to show the right stuff too.
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